News
Lend a hand’ first time buyer scheme suspended in Pembrokeshire
THE LOCAL AUTHORITY MORTGAGE SCHEME is a nationwide scheme aimed at helping first time buyers get onto the property ladder.
In June 2012 Pembrokeshire County Council and Lloyds Bank (then Lloyds TSB) joined it in a bid to help first time buyers in the area buy a home. This new incentive was called the ‘Lend a Hand’ project. The purpose of ‘Lend a Hand’ was to award prospective first time buyers a much cheaper mortgage rate than they would pay elsewhere. Indeed the deposit required under this scheme was just 5%, with Pembrokeshire County Council providing indemnity of up to 20%. This scheme was great as it allowed young singles, young couples or even young families to get a foot on the property ladder without having to spend several years saving money, borrowing from family or taking out a loan. The offer applied to properties in the local area, up to the amount of £135,000 and could be used for a flat or house. A principal advantage of said policy was that it allowed the County Council to free up social housing, thus ensuring that more people in need of lodging, such as the elderly or the sick, would benefit from it, as well as reducing payments to private landlords. Moreover, the plan also helped to maintain a sustainable housing market in the county, whilst allowing the prospect of home owning (and buying) to become somewhat less daunting and considerably more affordable. The scheme was active for almost a year and made £1 million available for local residents before being fully utilised and closing. Unfortunately it has since been suspended in Pembrokeshire and across Wales, and a year on there are still no plans to re-implement it. The reason behind this suspension remains mysterious; perhaps the government decided it needed the money back in its coffers to deal with the latest expense claims. Whatever the reason this suspension is problematic for the property market in Pembrokeshire, as well as for first time buyers attempting to acquire property in the area. Mortgage rates are back to normal, housing prices will continue to rise and wage hikes are no longer conducive to the rise in interest rates and the boom of property pricings. It is once again going to prove very difficult for first time buyers from Pembrokeshire to get a foot on the property ladder, unless they have a great deal of time to save, work a highly paid job or come from new money. But for most young adults it is back to the post-apocalyptic minefield of the rental market.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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